Data in (Codebook and SPSS) files from Three of my Research and Theory Surveys
The 1959 Study of U.S. Student’s Premarital Sexual Permissiveness (Intro / Codebook & SPSS File)
The 1963 U. S. National Survey of Premarital Sexual Permissiveness (Intro / Codebook & SPSS File)
I selected some major research and theory projects of mine to be made available here on my website. I then composed an introduction, a codebook and an SPSS file for each study. These studies have been used by many people in our field and they present research and theory ideas that are quite relevant to what is happening today in 2017.
The first study had two major samples—a five school student sample of two high schools and three colleges and a national representative sample of adults 21 and older. The student sample was carried out in 1959 and the national sample was fielded by NORC in 1963 and is discussed below. These data are the basis of my 1967 book, The Social Context of Premarital Sexual Permissiveness Scale. The scales developed to measure premarital sexual permissiveness have been very widely used. The Autonomy Theory that I developed to explain changes in premarital sexual permissiveness was developed inductively and parts of it have been retested by many sexuality researchers. Both of these student and national studies afford a baseline estimate for sexual customs just prior to the peak of the sexual revolution (1965-1975) and are therefore useful to measure changes over the decades. These two samples each have their own introduction, codebook and SPSS file. The new introduction to the above two surveys should afford a clear understanding of this research and theory project.
Cross Cultural Sexuality ---Universal Aspects in SCCS (Intro / Codebook & SPSS File)
The second major survey is a cross cultural study of sexuality utilizing the Standard Cross Cultural Sample (SCCS) of 186 non industrial societies. In this research I found three basic characteristics of human societies that organize the sexuality customs and were found in all the SCCS societies. The three socio/cultural aspects of society that I found to be universal were Gender Role Power, Concepts of Sexual Normality and Marital Sexual Jealousy. The interrelation of these three societal aspects helped me create my Linkage Theory concerning how these three aspects of society interact and shape the sexual customs and behaviors in all societies. I tested my ideas using the SCCS and the reader can check my results and perhaps discover aspects of sexuality that were not included in my work. This study is the basis for my 1986 book: Journey Into Sexuality: An Exploratory Voyage. All the key variables are in the codebook and the SPSS file. The results of my testing of my theoretical ideas was rather exciting and I hope those who explore these data will also have this reaction.
SOME OTHER DATA & THEORY SOURCES:
There are many other research and theory pieces listed on my Selected Publications page. Let me suggest just a few of these that I see as especially valuable for those interested in theory and research endeavors in sexuality.
One of my major projects was aimed at searching for ways to contain our high rates of Rape, Aids, Teen Pregnancy and Child Sexual Abuse. We have made changes in recent years but compared to Western Europe we are still high on all four of these sexual problem areas. In 1997 my wife and I published a second edition of our book examining the reasoning and the empirical data that indicates that Sexual Pluralism is the ethical standard that would significantly lower our rates of the above four sexual problem areas (Solving America’s Sexual Crises). See Chapter 1 and Chapter 10 from this book in the Selected Publications segment to clarify just what Sexual Pluralism ethics is about.
People in the sexuality field often seek to avoid putting forth any ethical code that would open them to criticism from the more conservative members of society. Nevertheless, I believe it is important that more of our sexual scientists present their perspectives backed by reason and data as to how to lower our sexual problem rates. The climate control scientists and many other scientists have done just this and we and our sexuality organizations should support such presentations in our study of human sexuality. See my 2014 journal article for a specific illustration in the field of sex education and also in the 2013 decision of the Supreme Court on Gay Marriage that spells out the details of the approach I am proposing.
Another publication of mine that I would highlight is the segment of my 2015 chapter is titled “Sociology and Biology: A Scientific Match?”. This piece deals with the issues that arise when we seek to build bridges between a sociological and a biological approach to sexuality research and theory. I specify and offer a perspective on some of the areas where sociologists and those in evolutionary and other biological approaches can run into difficulties.
My last suggestion refers to my 1980 paper: “A Multivariate Model of the Determinants of Extramarital Sexual Permissiveness.” This study was based on four national samples and it found that there are three major factors that predict attitudes towards extramarital sexuality—The general acceptance of sexuality, The degree of intellectual flexibility, and The level of marital satisfaction. I discuss the reasoning and evidence for my theoretical conclusions and also put forth new factors that would expand this theoretical approach.